You mean when everyone told you that your idea lf a number 10 was wrong? I remember it well, thanks. Have you got an idea yet? Do let me know when you finally work out what a number 10 is. The next lesson will be an education on how goal keepers are players too. Very important players.
Has Hazard really been your stand out player? Imo he, Costa and Matic have all made similar contributions to the team, and none of the three have really stood out. The Scholes v Gerrard debate is an interesting one to bring up. I fully agree that Gerrard has had seasons where he has had more impact than Scholes, largely due to playing in a poorer side, and deserved to be higher ranked in POTY nominations. But overall Scholes was a better and more complete CM. It all comes down to whether you just give POTY to the player you think is the best in the league, or the one you think has had the best season. Same logic here - Kane has had more impact than Hazard this year, but Hazard is still overall the better player.
he clearly wasn't. And it was embarassing for all including Ginola himself perhaps. The voting happens around March I think, which would players with teams doing well in the early part of the year at an advantage. So we will have RS players like Coutinho Can Henderson more favoured over the likes of Hazard, Costa and De gea.
Does the phrase arse about face mean anything to you?!!? Goal keepers are important but I'm not having that you can say they are as important as true genius match winners like Messi. Get a list of the best players of all time and people will say Pele, Maradona, Cruff, Zidane, Messi, Ronaldo etc. They all have one thing in common (hint - none are goal keepers). A good keeper is on par with a good defender or good holding midfielder. They can not be seriously compared to match winners and players who control games (Scholes, Pirlo, Xavi types). And next week on educating UIR......
It's a fair point re Costa and Matic, but should Hazard be 'punished' because he plays with more top class players than Kane? I think those 3 and Fabregas have all had spells this year of being our most influential player but I think Hazard edges them over the whole season. Plus, I'm all for giving it to a Hazard type of players if possible, who are exciting to watch, gets you on your feet when he gets the ball etc.. To few of them in this country at the moment.
I don't think Hazard should be 'punished', but then you are suggesting Kane should be 'punished' for playing with worse quality players because as you said "being the stand out player in a good side is not quite as impressive as being the stand out player for the champions". I disagree. because the stand out player for a good side has been as impressive in my book as the stand out player for the champions. Ultimately I compare the two of them, the impact they have had, the goals they have scored, the games they have won, and in my opinion Kane has simply had a better season than Hazard. More goals for a worse team, more valuable in terms of points won, statistically just as good given their different roles. I appreciate it's a matter of opinion, but that's mine.
Fair enough, as I say, I wouldn't be surprised if it was Kane and he's in with a shout. It's probably between them 2 and De Gea as probably the other notable players like Sanchez, Aguero, Fabregas, Rooney and Costa have had quieter spells.
Who wom premier league player of the year in 1996? Answers on a post card please. Second question. Do keepers earn points for their side? A simple yes or know will surfice. Attacking footballers often win because people are lazy and dont understand the contribution defenders and keepers make. Attackers get in purely on goals. Many of the most skill full and talented footballers tend to play in midfield or out wide anyway.
[QUOTE="Swarbs, post: 7757626, member: 1004840"]Has Hazard really been your stand out player? Imo he, Costa and Matic have all made similar contributions to the team, and none of the three have really stood out. The Scholes v Gerrard debate is an interesting one to bring up. I fully agree that Gerrard has had seasons where he has had more impact than Scholes, largely due to playing in a poorer side, and deserved to be higher ranked in POTY nominations. But overall Scholes was a better and more complete CM. It all comes down to whether you just give POTY to the player you think is the best in the league, or the one you think has had the best season. Same logic here - Kane has had more impact than Hazard this year, but Hazard is still overall the better player.[/QUOTE] Yes. He has been consistently excellent all season, played more games than Costa and Matic, who have had a couple of poor spells each. Hazard had one two-game dip before Xmas. He has been our standout player this season and matchwinner. Courtois and Cech have been crucial too along with Iva and JT
Hazard has been immense. Last 10 games he has been outstanding, especially compared to Matic and Costa, who have dipped slightly in recent games. (though Costa seems to have found his scoring boots again in the last couple)
Schmeichel and 'yes'. Not really sure what you're getting at. What exactly is the point re: 'attackers'. You can have attacking midfielders and most wingers are 'attackers' Presumably you are talking about strikers/forwards/numbers 9's getting in 'on goals'. Again not sure what you are getting at. I listed 6 of the best players ever, of which only 1 could be said to be true striker (though Messi and Ronaldo have played the position). Therefore I'm not just picking players on goals. I've also been debating the merit of Hazard as POTY, another player who is not a striker and doesn't score masses of goals. Your ramblings are making less and less sense daily Keepers are important, that's obvious but they will never be put on the same level as the great attacking and ball controlling players. FACT.
Have to say Hazard has been absolute class this season. He's not a prolific goalscorer but that will come in a season or so. However anyone who loves football should love watching Hazard - strength, trickery, vision, passing, the ability to run at defences, the ability to weave his way out of tight situations when 2 or 3 defenders are on him. Great player and improving every season. The only irony is that he's playing for Mourinho. I am sure if he played for a team with more flair, with players who play a more expansive free flowing attacking way, we'd all be waxing lyrical about him bcos imo he is being held back by chelsea's style.
